Benchwayze
Established Member
Hi folks,
I recently had to call out my Emergency household water supply insurance company, to sort out a leaking main water tank, that I discovered during the night.
Before the call-out was booked I had to pay an 'excess' charge of £50.00.This I did by C/C of course, believing that it would cover the first £50.00 of any replacement parts required, and fitting thereof, by the company.
I was given basic instruction over the phone, on what to do, to prevent a major flood. (Which I already knew, and had in fact done.)
Being unable to climb steps at the moment, I wasn't able to lock off the 'Ball-Cock' to prevent the tank filling again, which I would normally do. This would allow me to turn on the main supply again and give me cold water to my taps and shower. So I left the main turned off, and went back to bed.
The guy who came next morning told me the tank had split, and needed replacing (Duhhhh! really?) but all he could do was 'cap-off' the tank, (Close the ball-cock, I presume.) and restore cold water supply to my taps. I had to arrange further repairs with the company, and would be liable for a £50.00 excess if they did the work.
I got their quote, which was unacceptable, and decided to call in a plumber of my choosing. The repair has now been done of course, but not by the Insurance Company's work force. Now, they won't refund my £50.00 excess charge; saying it is to cover the call out.
In my understanding, an insurance excess charge is levied to cover the first £50.00 of any subsequent repairs and parts supply.
If this isn't so, when does an insurance excess become a call-out charge and 'vickie-verkie'? If the £50.00 is to cover any action the plumber has to take, to deal with the emergency, then I wasn't able to find anything in the small print that actually said so. And if it is so, why call the fee an 'excess' when in fact it's a call-out charge?
It seems my policy is redundant, simply because I already know how to turn off my water supply in an emergency, and how to safely restore water to my cold taps. I even know how to turn off the pavement stop-cock, if a pipe bursts.
I also know how to call out a plumber, and I expect a call-out charge, in addition to any repairs that plumber males and any parts that are supplied. In fact, had this occurred during the day, I might well have not bothered with a 'claim'.
I took out this policy in the belief I would get a reasonable quote, provided I paid their excess charge.
So, is there an Insurance expert out there who can explain this anomaly please?
TIA
:?
i
I recently had to call out my Emergency household water supply insurance company, to sort out a leaking main water tank, that I discovered during the night.
Before the call-out was booked I had to pay an 'excess' charge of £50.00.This I did by C/C of course, believing that it would cover the first £50.00 of any replacement parts required, and fitting thereof, by the company.
I was given basic instruction over the phone, on what to do, to prevent a major flood. (Which I already knew, and had in fact done.)
Being unable to climb steps at the moment, I wasn't able to lock off the 'Ball-Cock' to prevent the tank filling again, which I would normally do. This would allow me to turn on the main supply again and give me cold water to my taps and shower. So I left the main turned off, and went back to bed.
The guy who came next morning told me the tank had split, and needed replacing (Duhhhh! really?) but all he could do was 'cap-off' the tank, (Close the ball-cock, I presume.) and restore cold water supply to my taps. I had to arrange further repairs with the company, and would be liable for a £50.00 excess if they did the work.
I got their quote, which was unacceptable, and decided to call in a plumber of my choosing. The repair has now been done of course, but not by the Insurance Company's work force. Now, they won't refund my £50.00 excess charge; saying it is to cover the call out.
In my understanding, an insurance excess charge is levied to cover the first £50.00 of any subsequent repairs and parts supply.
If this isn't so, when does an insurance excess become a call-out charge and 'vickie-verkie'? If the £50.00 is to cover any action the plumber has to take, to deal with the emergency, then I wasn't able to find anything in the small print that actually said so. And if it is so, why call the fee an 'excess' when in fact it's a call-out charge?
It seems my policy is redundant, simply because I already know how to turn off my water supply in an emergency, and how to safely restore water to my cold taps. I even know how to turn off the pavement stop-cock, if a pipe bursts.
I also know how to call out a plumber, and I expect a call-out charge, in addition to any repairs that plumber males and any parts that are supplied. In fact, had this occurred during the day, I might well have not bothered with a 'claim'.
I took out this policy in the belief I would get a reasonable quote, provided I paid their excess charge.
So, is there an Insurance expert out there who can explain this anomaly please?
TIA
:?
i
